Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Shiftwork as Gendered and Its Impact on Work–Family Balance

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Gender and the Work-Family Experience

Abstract

Arguably one of the most challenging types of work in terms of work-family conflict is shiftwork. This is particularly the case when such shifts are rotating and inconsistent, and thus cannot be counted on for stability or routine regarding arranging for non-work considerations (e.g., childcare). Historically, shiftwork has been highly gendered, although it became less so during World War II when women were called into manufacturing roles. Despite this, it remains the case that women’s traditional shiftwork roles (e.g., nursing) may be differentially family-friendly as compared to male’s traditional shiftwork roles (e.g., law enforcement). This chapter examines both consistent and rotational shiftwork in terms of their respective effects on work-family outcomes and how these may differ for men and women in shiftwork roles. This chapter also examines how the unique work schedules of shift workers may exacerbate traditional challenges of work-family balance via multiple methods, including the obvious scheduling challenges but also including the less frequently considered challenges of sleep-, affect-, and health-related consequences of shiftwork, and how such outcomes may differ dependent upon gender.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    For a more detailed discussion of socioeconomic and racial considerations in regard to work–family conflict, see chapters 3 and 4, respectively.

  2. 2.

    It should be noted, however, that any such negative effects that nontraditional shiftwork may have on work–family balance are likely to be affected by the employee’s degree of ‘morningness’ or ‘eveningness’, as found by Willis et al. (2008).

  3. 3.

    For a more detailed discussion of the impact of work–family conflict on marital relationship quality, see chapter 9.

References

  • Akanni, A. (2011). Shiftwork, job satisfaction and family life: An empirical study among nurses in Osun State Nigeria. Lambert: Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Albertsen, K., Rafnsdóttir, G., Grimsmo, A., Tómas-son, K., & Kauppinen, K. (2008). Workhours and worklife balance. SJWEH Supplements, 5, 14–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Axelsson, G., Rylander, R., & Molin, I. (1989). Outcome of pregnancy in relation to irregular and incovenient work schedules. British Journal of Industrial Medicine, 46, 393–398.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bambra, C., Whitehead, M., Sowden, A., Akers, J., & Petticrew, M. (2008). A hard day’s night? The effects of compressed working week interventions on the health and worklife balance of shift workers: A systematic review. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 62, 764–777.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes, M., Bryson, C., & Smith R. (2006). Working atypical hours: What happens to family life? London: National Centre for Social Research.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barthe, B., Messing, K., & Abbas, L. (2011). Strategies used by women workers to reconcile family responsibilities with atypical work schedules in the service sector. Work, 40, S47–S58.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beers, T. M. (2000). Flexible schedules and shift work: replacing the ‘9-to-5’ workday? Monthly Labor Review, 123, 33–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colligan, M. J., Frockt, J. I., & Tasto, D. L. (1979). Frequency of sickness absence and worksite clinic visits among nurses as a function of shift. Applied Ergonomics, 10, 79–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Costa, G. (1996). The impact of shift and night work on health. Applied Ergonomics, 27, 9–16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Craig, L., & Powell, A. (2011). Non-standard work schedules, work-family balance and the gendered division of childcare. Work Employment Society, 25, 274–291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eaton, S. C. (2003). If you can use them: Flexibility policies, organizational commitment, and perceived performance. Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy & Society, 42, 145–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Estryn-Béhar, M., & Van der Heijden, B. M. (2012). Effects of extended work shifts on employee fatigue, health, satisfaction, work/family balance, and patient safety. Work, 41, 4283–4290.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fenwick, R., & Tausig, M. (2001). Scheduling stress: Family and health outcomes of shift work and schedule control. American Behavioral Scientist, 44, 1179–1198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forbes, A., & Roger, D. (1999). Stress, social support and fear. British Journal of Health Psychology, 4, 165–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gerson, K. (2009). The unfinished revolution: Coming of age in a new era of gender, work, and family. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gottzén, L., & Kremer-Sadlik, T. (2012). Fatherhood and youth sports: A balancing act between care and expectations. Gender & Society, 26, 639–664.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grosswald, B. (2003). Shift work and negative work-to-family spillover. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, 4, 31–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haines, V. Y., Marchand, A., Rousseau, V., & Demers, A. (2008). The mediating role of work-to-family conflict in the relationship between. Work & Stress, 22, 341–356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hammer, L. B., Kossek, E. E., Anger, W. K., Bodner, T., & Zimmerman, K. L. (2011). Clarifying work-family intervention processes: The roles of work-family conflict and family-supportive supervisor behaviors. Journal of Applied Psychology, 96, 134–150.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hammer, L. B., Kossek, E. E., Bodner, T., & Crain, T. (2013). Measurement development and validation of the family supportive supervisor behavior short-form (FSSB-SF). Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 18, 285–296.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hopkins, K. M. (2002). Interactions of gender and race in workers’ help seeking for personal/family problems: Perceptions of supervisor support and intervention. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 38, 156–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelliher, C., & Anderson, D. (2010). Doing more with less? Flexible working practices and the intensification of work. Human Relations, 63, 83–106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • La Valle, I., Arthur, S., Millward, C., Scott, J., & Clayden, M. (2002). Happy families? Atypical work and its influence on family life. Bristol: Policy Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Levine, J. A., & Pittinsky, T. L. (1997). Working fathers: New strategies for balancing work and family. Reading: Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, J. (2009). Work-family balance, gender and policy. Northampton: Edward Elgar.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lindsey, D. (2007). Police fatigue. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 76, 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, H., Wang, Q., Keesler, V., & Schneider, B. (2011). Non-standard work schedules, work-family conflict and parental. Social Science Research, 40, 473–484.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marsh, A. (1979). Women and shiftwork: The protective legislation survey carried out for the Equal Opportunities Commission. Office of Population Censuses and Surveys: Social Survey Division.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ng, T. H., Butts, M. M., Vandenberg, R. J., DeJoy, D. M., & Wilson, M. G. (2006). Effects of management communication, opportunity for learning, and work schedule flexibility on organizational commitment. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 68, 474–489.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ǿyane, N. M. F., Pallesen, S., Moen, B. E., Åkerstedt, T., & Bjorvatn, B. (2013). Associations between night work and anxiety, depression, insomnia, sleepiness and fatigue in a sample of Norwegian nurses. PLoS ONE, 8 (8), 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Odle-Dusseau, H. N., Britt, T. W., & Greene-Shortridge, T. M. (2012). Organizational work-family resources as predictors of job performance and attitudes: The process of work-family conflict and enrichment. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 17, 28–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Perrons, D., Fagan, C., McDowell, L., Ray, K., & Ward, K. (2006). Gender divisions and working time in the new economy: Changing patterns of work, care, and public policy in Europe and North America. Northampton: Edward Elgar.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Perrucci, R., MacDermid, S., King, E., Tang, C., Brimeyer, T., Ramadoss, K., et al. (2007). The significance of shift work: Current status and future directions. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 28(4), 600–617. doi:10.1007/s10834-007-9078-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pierce, J. L., & Dunham, R. B. (1992). The 12-hour work day: A 48-hour, eight-day week. Academy of Management Journal, 35, 1086–1098.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Presser, H. B. (2003). Race-ethnic and gender differences in nonstandard work shifts. Work and Occupations, 30, 412–439.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Presser, H. B. (2006). Employment in a 24/7 economy: challenges for the family. In Perrons, D., Fagan, C., McDowell, L., Ray, K., & Ward, K. (Eds.)Gender divisions and working time in the new economy: Changing patterns of work, care, and public policy in Europe and North America. (pp. 35–57). Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rapoport, R., Bailyn, L., Fletcher, J. K., & Pruitt, B. H. (2002). Beyond work-family balance: Advancing gender equity and workplace performance. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Root, L. S., & Wooten, L. P. (2008). Time out for family: Shift work, fathers, and sports. Human Resource Management, 47, 481–499.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scheller, L. (2011). How important is the liaison between professional work and family work? The case of women bus drivers. Work, 40, S5–S14.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sergean, R., & Brierly, J. (1968). Absence and attendance under non-continuous three-shift systems of work. Nature, 219, 536.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Staines, G. L., & Pleck, J. H. (1984). Nonstandard work schedules and family life. Journal of Applied Psychology, 69, 515–523.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thiis-Evensen, E. (1958). Shift work and health. Industrial Medicine and Surgery, 27, 493–497.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tuttle, R., & Garr, M. (2012). Shift work and work to family fit: Does schedule control matter? Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 33, 261–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van der Pompe, G., & de Heus, P. (1993). Work stress, social support, and strains among male and female managers. Anxiety, Stress & Coping: An International Journal, 6, 215–229.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vila, B., Morrisson, G. B., & Kenney, D. J. (2002). Improving shift schedule and work-hour policies and practices to increase police officer performance, health, and safety. Police Quarterly, 5, 4–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, L., & Keith, B. (1990). The effect of shift work on the quality and stability of marital relations. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 52, 453–462.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, J. (1999). Unbending gender: Why family and work conflict and what to do about it. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, J. (2010). Reshaping the work-family debate: Why men and class matter. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willis, T. A., O’Connor, D. B., & Smith, L. (2008). Investigating effort-reward imbalance and work-family conflict in relation to morningness-eveningness and shift work. Work & Stress, 22, 125–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, J. L. (2002). The impact of shift patterns on healthcare professionals. Journal of Nursing Management, 10, 211–219.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wittmer, J. L., & Martin, J. E. (2010). Emotional exhaustion among employees without social or client contact: The key role of nonstandard work schedules. Journal of Business and Psychology, 25, 607–623.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (2007). Carcinogenicity of shift-work, painting, and fire-fighting. The Lancet Oncology, 8, 1065–1066.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wyatt, S., & Marriott, R. (1953). Night work and shift changes. British Journal of Industrial Medicine, 10, 164–172.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Hofstra University, 135 Hofstra University, 11549, Hempstead, NY, USA

    Ryan M. Rosiello MA

  2. Departments of Psychology and Management, Hofstra University, 135 Hofstra University, 11549, Hempstead, NY, USA

    Maura J. Mills PhD

Authors
  1. Maura J. Mills PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ryan M. Rosiello MA
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maura J. Mills PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Psychology and Management, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, USA

    Maura J. Mills

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mills, M., Rosiello, R. (2015). Shiftwork as Gendered and Its Impact on Work–Family Balance. In: Mills, M. (eds) Gender and the Work-Family Experience. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08891-4_13

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation